It's a sport which requires stamina, strength and technique - as well as a bit of fighting spirit. The Argus speaks to members of Newport judo club.

FROM throws to hold downs and even controlled armlocks and strangles - judo is a sport full of different techniques.

And as a sport which is great for fitness, full of self defence techniques and one which can be practised at any age- it is clear to see why those who have taken up the sport enjoy every moment of it.

The likes of Wales’ Commonwealth champion Natalie Powell and 2012 Olympic silver medallist Gemma Gibbons have also raised the media profile of the sport in recent years spurring people on to give the challenging sport a go.

And one club in Gwent where people of all ages are enjoying it is Newport Judo Club.

Newport Judo Club has a wealth of experience with members having competed at both national and international level.

Club coach Darren Draper himself competed in the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1986.

Speaking about the sport, the 48-year-old said: “It’s encouraging young minds mentally and physically.

“It’s teaching them discipline, rationale and it’s curbing aggression. It’s respect and it’s fun.”

In judo, players are graded with different colour belts from white for novices to black for experts.

A person’s belt colour is based on their knowledge of judo techniques and their performance in competition.

A black belt is defined at different levels known as ‘Dan’ starting at 1st Dan.

Newport Judo Club head coach Steve Babos, 78, said: “I’ve been doing it for 66 years. I’m still learning.”

But it’s not just the coaches who have lots of reasons for getting into the sport – so do the club members.

Newport dad-of-two Paul Henderson, 53, said: “It’s something you can do literally at any age.

“The only person you are really fighting is yourself. You have to get better yourself.

“Judo is as much mental as physical. It’s all in the head.”

He added: “The mental discipline you get from judo is something you carry into everyday life.”

Jason Silcox, 43, of Caldicot, said: “It brings self confidence, fitness, health and a disciplined lifestyle. In this day and age we do need it.”

And Gareth Rowlands, 37, of Cwmbran, said: “It’s something I used to do as a kid and I’m continuing that. I’ve always had that interest. I just enjoy it.”

While some members train for fun, others take the sport further and compete.

A judo competition sees two players, otherwise known as ‘judoka’ fight against each other with the aim being to score the most points.

Points are achieved through throws, hold downs, controlled armlocks or strangles. The better the technique the more points are awarded.

The highest number of points a person can score is 10 points or ‘ippon’ which wins the contest.

The likes of the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games have allowed people to see these competition rules put into practice while some local judo clubs have seen the best of judo’s competitors visit them to deliver training sessions.

Black belt judoka Steven Withers teaches children at Marshfield Village Hall through his club called Ysgol Judo.

Just before Christmas, he organised special training sessions with five time world championship silver medallist and Olympic bronze medallist Karina Bryant.

Meanwhile in the last few weeks, Abergavenny Judo Club has hosted former Welsh and British squad player Richard Nash.

Club coach Paul Addis, 46, said: “I think judo fits all ages.

“The British Judo Association and Welsh Judo Association support children starting from the age of five years old and people train well into their Sixties and Seventies.

“It’s a great cardiovascular workout. You burn more calories than in other activities alongside karate.

“It’s a great way to socialise as well. You meet lots of people. It’s an excellent fitness and is great for self defence.”

So while judo is enjoying success today, how did it all start?

The fighting techniques have been brought to the masses by a pioneering martial artist who lived in Japan at the turn of the 20th century called Jigoro Kano.

Inspired by the martial art practised by the Samurai in feudal Japan called ju-jutsu, Kano decided to create his own system.

Judo taught martial artists in dojos kitted out with soft mats, which enabled players to practice throwing techniques freely without sustaining serious injuries.

And the sport grew and grew with the first World Judo Championships taking place in 1956 before judo finally became an official Olympic sport at the Tokyo games in 1964.

lNewport Judo Club holds sessions at the tennis centre at the Newport International Sports Village on Thursday evening and Monday morning. The first lesson is free. Go to newportjudoclub.co.uk or their Facebook page or call Darren Draper on 07950 955 241 for more information.

Abergavenny Judo Club holds sessions on Friday evenings at Abergavenny Leisure Centre in Old Hereford Road. Log on to abergavennyjudo.co.uk or call 01873 857 110.

For more information on Ysgol Judo call Steve Withers on 07976 057 770.